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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A separate section of a larger composition.






2. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






3. A separate section of a larger composition.






4. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






5. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






6. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






7. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






8. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






9. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






10. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






11. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






12. A direction to play expressively.






13. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






14. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






15. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






16. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






17. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






18. The movement of chords in succession.






19. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






20. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






21. A direction to play lively and fast.






22. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






23. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






24. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






25. The unit of musical rhythm.






26. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






27. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






28. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






29. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






30. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






31. A direction to play lively and fast.






32. A symbol indicating to play loud.






33. The first violin in an orchestra.






34. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






35. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






36. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






37. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






38. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






39. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






40. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






41. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






42. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






43. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






44. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






45. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






46. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






47. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






48. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






49. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






50. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.